In 1861, a young Kiowa named Eagle Plume was about to embark on his first hunt, guided by Lone Bear. Before they began, Lone Bear explained the rules: wait for a signal from an elder before attacking the bison herd, and only take what the horse could carry. This was a tradition among the Kiowa and other Indigenous groups living on the Great Plains. By the mid-1700s, these Plains nations had become skilled horse riders, using their mounts to hunt the abundant bison, the largest land mammals in North America. Bison were crucial to their way of life, providing meat for food, hides for lodges and blankets, and bones and horns for tools.
However, the following decades brought drastic changes. After the American Civil War, settlers flooded the Plains, eager to exploit its resources. During the 1860s, the Plains nations resisted the US military’s attempts to control them. In 1869, William Sherman, known for his harsh tactics during the Civil War, became the US Army’s Commanding General. He focused on what he called “the Indian problem,” aiming to confine Native Americans to reservations so settlers could profit from their lands. Sherman vowed to stay in the West until Native Americans were either killed or confined.
At the same time, the demand for leather, especially for industrial machinery, skyrocketed. US hunters, equipped with rifles, began slaughtering bison across the Plains. Sherman and other military leaders realized they could achieve their goals by allowing this unchecked hunting. Their strategy was simple: if the bison were wiped out, the Plains Indigenous peoples would face starvation and be forced into submission. A US colonel even told a British lieutenant, “Kill every buffalo you can! Every buffalo dead is an Indian gone.”
The US military ignored treaties that protected tribal lands from civilian hunters and sometimes even supported the hunters with protection and ammunition. Many hunters killed up to 50 bison a day. In just two months in 1876, one hunter killed 5,855 bison, firing his rifle so much that he went deaf in one ear. Often, hunters only took the hides and tongues, leaving the rest to rot. Inexperienced skinners damaged hides, and scavengers picked at the remains. Some hunters even poisoned bison meat to kill wolves for their pelts.
As the bison population plummeted, Native American people protested, and humanitarian and animal rights groups tried to help. In 1874, Congress passed a law to make bison hunting illegal in federal territories, but the US President vetoed it. The strategy of depleting the bison was working: many Plains nations faced starvation and were forced onto reservations. In 1800, tens of millions of bison roamed the Great Plains, but by 1900, fewer than 1,000 remained.
Some wealthy Americans created bison preserves to save the species, but these often encroached on Native American lands and served mainly as tourist attractions. By 2021, the bison population had grown to around 500,000, mostly on private ranches. Recently, Plains nations have reintroduced about 20,000 bison to tribal lands, aiming to heal and restore the relationship that was severely damaged during the bison slaughter.
Research the historical context of bison hunting in the 19th century. Create a presentation that explores how the decline of the bison population affected the Plains Indigenous peoples and their culture. Include maps, images, and primary sources to support your findings.
Participate in a class debate on the ethics of exploiting natural resources for economic gain. Consider the perspectives of settlers, the US military, and the Plains Indigenous peoples. Prepare arguments and counterarguments, and engage in a respectful discussion with your classmates.
Write a short story from the perspective of a young Kiowa hunter like Eagle Plume. Describe a day in his life before and after the decline of the bison population. Use historical details to make your story authentic and engaging.
Organize a field trip to a nearby bison preserve or wildlife sanctuary. Observe the bison in their natural habitat and learn about conservation efforts. Reflect on the importance of preserving species and ecosystems for future generations.
Create an art project that captures the significance of bison in Plains Indigenous culture. Use any medium you prefer, such as painting, sculpture, or digital art. Display your artwork in class and explain the symbolism and cultural elements you incorporated.
It was 1861, and Lone Bear was leading Eagle Plume on his first-ever hunt. He paused and explained the rules: once he spotted the bison herd, he needed to wait for a signal from someone older, and when it was time, he could only take what his horse could carry. Lone Bear advanced, then beckoned, and suddenly they were off. Eagle Plume and Lone Bear were Kiowa, part of several Indigenous groups that lived on the Great Plains. By the mid-1700s, many Plains nations were using horses to hunt the area’s plentiful bison, North America’s largest land mammals. They relied on bison meat, used the bison’s summer hides for lodges, winter coats for blankets, and utilized bones and horns for tools, with sinew serving as thread.
However, in the following decades, millions of bison would be slaughtered, fundamentally threatening the survival and cultures of Plains societies. After the American Civil War, thousands of settlers began occupying the Plains, intent on exploiting its natural resources. During the 1860s, Plains nations resisted the US military. William Sherman, who had recently helped end the Civil War with ruthless tactics, was appointed the US Army’s Commanding General in 1869. His focus shifted to what he termed “the Indian problem.” US government officials sought to confine Native American people to designated areas known as reservations, allowing settlers and companies to profit from their land. Sherman pledged to remain in the West until “the Indians are all killed or taken to a country where they can be watched.”
Meanwhile, the demand for leather, particularly for industrial machinery, surged. To meet this demand, US hunters armed with rifles killed bison across the Plains. Sherman and other military officials recognized they could achieve their goals passively by allowing the industrial economy to run unchecked. Their strategy was that if hunters depleted the bison, Plains Indigenous peoples would be starved into submission. One US colonel remarked to a visiting British lieutenant, “Kill every buffalo you can! Every buffalo dead is an Indian gone.” The US military refused to enforce treaties that prohibited civilian hunters from entering tribal territories and sometimes provided hunters with protection and ammunition. Many hide hunters killed up to 50 bison a day. During a two-month period in 1876, one hunter killed 5,855 bison, with the constant firing of his rifle leaving him deaf in one ear. Often, hunters would only retrieve the hides and tongues, leaving the rest to decay. Inexperienced skinners damaged hides during processing, and carcasses left behind were scavenged by other animals. Some hunters even poisoned bison meat to collect wolf pelts.
Native American people protested, and humanitarian and animal rights groups attempted to intervene as the bison population dwindled. Legislation to make bison hunting illegal in federal territories passed Congress in 1874 but was vetoed by the US President. The strategy was proving effective: many Plains nations faced starvation and were being forced onto reservations. In 1800, tens of millions of bison roamed the Great Plains, but by 1900, fewer than 1,000 remained. Some wealthy US citizens established bison preserves that helped save the species, but these preserves primarily served as tourist attractions and often encroached on Native American lands. As of 2021, the bison population had grown to around 500,000, with the majority living on private ranches. In recent years, Plains nations have reintroduced approximately 20,000 bison to tribal lands, aiming to heal and restore the relationship that was severely impacted during the bison slaughter.
Bison – A large, humpbacked, shaggy-haired wild ox native to North America, often associated with the Great Plains and historically significant to many Native American tribes. – The near-extinction of the bison in the 19th century had a profound impact on the cultures and economies of the Plains Native American tribes.
Plains – Vast areas of flat or gently rolling land, often covered in grasses, that are found in various parts of the world, including the central United States. – The Great Plains were crucial to the development of agriculture and the expansion of the United States westward during the 19th century.
Hunting – The practice of pursuing and capturing or killing wild animals, often for food, sport, or trade, which has played a significant role in human history and survival. – Hunting bison was a central activity for many Native American tribes on the Great Plains, providing food, clothing, and materials for tools.
Native – Referring to the original inhabitants of a particular region or country, often used to describe indigenous peoples and their cultures. – Native peoples of North America have diverse cultures and histories that predate European colonization by thousands of years.
Americans – Citizens or inhabitants of the United States, or more broadly, people from the continents of North and South America. – The early 20th century saw significant social and political changes that shaped the lives of Americans across the nation.
Industrial – Relating to or characterized by industry, often referring to the period of industrialization that transformed economies and societies through the development of factories and mass production. – The Industrial Revolution marked a major turning point in history, leading to urbanization and significant technological advancements.
Decline – A gradual decrease or reduction in strength, quality, or quantity, often used to describe the weakening of empires, economies, or populations. – The decline of the Roman Empire is often attributed to a combination of internal weaknesses and external pressures.
Population – The total number of people inhabiting a particular area or country, often studied in terms of growth, density, and demographics. – The population of urban areas increased dramatically during the Industrial Revolution as people moved to cities in search of work.
Treaties – Formal agreements between two or more sovereign states, often used to end conflicts, establish alliances, or define boundaries. – The Treaty of Versailles officially ended World War I and imposed heavy reparations on Germany.
Recovery – The process of returning to a normal state after a period of difficulty or decline, often used in economic, social, or health contexts. – The economic recovery after the Great Depression was aided by New Deal policies and the onset of World War II.
